Bengawan Solo River

The Bengawan Solo River is the longest river on the Indonesian island of Java, approximately 540 km in length. Apart from its importance as watercourse to the inhabitants and farmlands of the eastern and northern parts of the island, it is a renowned region in paleoanthropology circles.

The Bengawan Solo River has its source at the volcano of Mount Lawu,in Central Java. From there it flows in a northerly direction, through the Sewu Mountains. Along its course it is joined by several tributaries. Some of these, such as the Madiun and Brantas rivers are substantial rivers themselves. The river makes an easterly turn through East Java, passing through the Kendang Mountains and into the Solo Valley, which is relatively flat.